This is still the day the Lord has made and I will be glad and rejoice in this day (Psalm 118:)
I don't just quote that to be sayin' something. I say it because I believe it. I say it because I have seen many days of recession and depression (financially, emotionally, and spiritually) while raising my kids. Did I always rejoice in the day and all that came with it? NO. But now I can look back and see the wisdom of rejoicing, and pass it on to someone else who may be going through. Key word in any day is "THROUGH." If you don't give up you will come through.
Somebody, somewhere is always going through a RECESSION, DEPRESSION TIME. How have folks all over the world managed to keep going? DON'T QUIT!!
Look at this day and where you are in this day; positive and negative.
Who's around you? ...and don't even say nobody. Jesus said I will never leave you or forsake you.
Are you clothed?
Can you get something to eat today?
Can you work today?
Are you able to make value of the day or waste it? This is important. We have a choice of action or inaction.
Can you sing a song today, and what kind of song will it be?
Q: What does all the above have to do with the recession?
A: Getting over
Our state of mind and how we approach our situations help us or hinder us in going through. If you have children and have lost your job, can't do all the activities you once did with and for them; the most loving thing you can do is be honest with them and yourself. Then, get a plan and a song for the day.
Are you a Blues song? "Everyday I have the Blues"
This song will bring you so far down, that you won't even want to be around yourself. And NEVER mix this song with alcohol or other chemicals. This is a NOBODY WINS combination.
Are you a Pity me? "Nobody wants me when I'm down and out"
This song will keep you down and out, on the road to not doing much for yourself or anyone else. Pity tries to justify a bad situation. It will always find something or someone to blame, and keeps you from realizing the power and love that is around you.
Are you an overcomer song? "Victory is Mine"
This song can encourage you to look at your resources, talents, gifts and see how you can use them in the moment.
Your song shows up in the way you live your life. I have lived all these songs at one time or another, and the quickest way for me was to sing a song of praise, even when I was in the dumps. Whatever you do in the hard times - DON'T QUIT!!
Showing posts with label finances. Show all posts
Showing posts with label finances. Show all posts
Saturday, May 2, 2009
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
FOOD BUDGET CALENDER
Okay, the first of the May is fast approaching. Anyone out there on a budget, finding it hard to make the food money last till the end of the month? Having raised a house full of kids, I know the Lord was in the budget. While I lived in Mississippi I had a Parent Aid Program, we taught budgeting, shopping housekeeping,etc.
Get your calender and your calculator. Do you know you can feed 2-3 for two days on 1pound of beef. Get a roast beef/pork and split it up for stews and for steaks. When I go out to Costco, I get one of their packs of ground beef, and divide them into individual meals. I think there are twelve in a pack. I take two for 1 meatloaf, 2 for chili or chili mac, I make patties for hamburgers and freeze them, etc. If you get three packs of meat (beef, pork and hamburger), it will cost approx. $50.00. Then I divide those as I did the hamburger. The beef can be chopped into stew meat for stir fry or whatever. The pork can be sliced for chops, boiled pork, or whatever your recipe calls for.
Speaking of recipe's, some folk will need to learn how to cook. It's really not hard to make good, healthy food. Betty Crocker is still the best cookbook around for all around cooking. Goodwill stores are full of them.
Usually I can get chickens at Albertsons for a lot cheaper. Watch for the sales for whole chickens, cut them up yourself. Watch for sales for frozen feggies, fruits and all sorts of things. Coupons are a pain, but if you do it right you can save. There are nine servings in a chicken if you use the back (white meat). If you don't like the back or neck, cook them anyway and take the meat off for chicken salad.
I haven't forgotten about the calendar. As you plan your meals, write them on the calender for each day (including leftovers). You will be surprised what a family of 2-3 can do for $200/mo. Don't forget your salads, and take advantage of gardens. So many ways to grow fresh tomatoes, beans and lettuce, even if you live in an apartment. If you have any questions or comments, please let me hear from you. Happy Eating!!
Get your calender and your calculator. Do you know you can feed 2-3 for two days on 1pound of beef. Get a roast beef/pork and split it up for stews and for steaks. When I go out to Costco, I get one of their packs of ground beef, and divide them into individual meals. I think there are twelve in a pack. I take two for 1 meatloaf, 2 for chili or chili mac, I make patties for hamburgers and freeze them, etc. If you get three packs of meat (beef, pork and hamburger), it will cost approx. $50.00. Then I divide those as I did the hamburger. The beef can be chopped into stew meat for stir fry or whatever. The pork can be sliced for chops, boiled pork, or whatever your recipe calls for.
Speaking of recipe's, some folk will need to learn how to cook. It's really not hard to make good, healthy food. Betty Crocker is still the best cookbook around for all around cooking. Goodwill stores are full of them.
Usually I can get chickens at Albertsons for a lot cheaper. Watch for the sales for whole chickens, cut them up yourself. Watch for sales for frozen feggies, fruits and all sorts of things. Coupons are a pain, but if you do it right you can save. There are nine servings in a chicken if you use the back (white meat). If you don't like the back or neck, cook them anyway and take the meat off for chicken salad.
I haven't forgotten about the calendar. As you plan your meals, write them on the calender for each day (including leftovers). You will be surprised what a family of 2-3 can do for $200/mo. Don't forget your salads, and take advantage of gardens. So many ways to grow fresh tomatoes, beans and lettuce, even if you live in an apartment. If you have any questions or comments, please let me hear from you. Happy Eating!!
Thursday, April 9, 2009
SMART CARS
I saw my first Smart Car up close today. It was cute, and cuter still it gets 45 miles to the gallon, and is $17,000. It's by Mercedes. Now I'm a van person, I carry so much junk and BBQ Sauce, and stuff that I couldn't possibly fit everything into this cute lil' thing. But for that price and that milage, I'm thinkin' about it.
The drawback. Yes, there is always a drawback. Though the company is offering extended waranties, you can only take it to a licensed dealer. Where I live here in Bellingham, the closest one that could work on my car is in Seattle; two hours away. Will they give me a loaner (free)? They are so new, what wears out first on them. The lady I talked to has had hers less than a year, and Mercedes has offered to give her a new transmission free of charge, though nothing is wrong with hers (that she knows of) mmmmmmm.
Only time will tell, but I bet Americans will get on the band wagon for smarter cars. As small as hers is, if GM would make a slightly larger model for that price, to get that milage - I'd go with them. I want to buy American.
So much of our Real Estate is owned by forign countries, I would hate to see our Automakers be sold to forigners too. Please GM, Chrystler get it together. We the people love you. Don't we?
The drawback. Yes, there is always a drawback. Though the company is offering extended waranties, you can only take it to a licensed dealer. Where I live here in Bellingham, the closest one that could work on my car is in Seattle; two hours away. Will they give me a loaner (free)? They are so new, what wears out first on them. The lady I talked to has had hers less than a year, and Mercedes has offered to give her a new transmission free of charge, though nothing is wrong with hers (that she knows of) mmmmmmm.
Only time will tell, but I bet Americans will get on the band wagon for smarter cars. As small as hers is, if GM would make a slightly larger model for that price, to get that milage - I'd go with them. I want to buy American.
So much of our Real Estate is owned by forign countries, I would hate to see our Automakers be sold to forigners too. Please GM, Chrystler get it together. We the people love you. Don't we?
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